The HeadStarter Network is a nonprofit organization created to provide a nimble, interdisciplinary, and forward-looking engine for driving innovation in early childhood development and education. We constantly seek to apply best practices and innovations from technology, business, and academia to shape new models of early childhood education.

The HeadStarter Network is being built to facilitate collaborations, experiments, research, products, services, and ventures between Network members.  Network members include: 

  • Early childhood development and education practitioners

  • Corporate partners

  • Technology partners

  • Academia

  • Venture philanthropy

  • Foundations

The HeadStarter Network is a community for anybody curious and poised to explore and impact the future of early learning.
 

 

Governance

HeadStarter Network Board

  • Ilham Askia
    President & CEO, East Lake Foundation

  • Damon Carson
    General Manager of Education, Instruction, & Operations, Neighborhood House

  • Dr. Iris Cumberbatch
    Senior Vice President & Head of Corporate Affairs, ECMC Group

  • Youlanda Ellis-Upkins - Board Vice Chair
    President, B&K Enterprise, LLC

  • Yichen Feng - Board Treasurer
    Growth Partner & Head of Impact, Lumos Capital Group

  • Linda Meredith
    Chief Operating Officer, Community Partnership for Child Development

  • Chuck Mills - Board Chair
    Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer, Haveli Investments

  • Yasmina Vinci - Board Secretary
    Executive Director, National Head Start Association

  • Keith Williams
    CFO, Clayton County Community Services Authority

Board officers were duly elected to serve through June 30, 2025.